Details: On October 8th, 2004 a body of a badly decomposed male was discovered in a wooded area near the Halifax International Airport. Male appeared to have both ears pierced although no jewelry was present. The male was wearing Lee blue jeans (size 32/32), a multicolored dress shirt, “Emilio” grey sweater (size medium), new Timberland Hiking Boots (beige) (size 9) and a brown leather belt. Located near the body was a pair of dark framed “Dolce & Gabbana” prescription glasses as well as a “Dorcy” flashlight. Also located in close proximity to the body was a dark coloured “Mckinley” back pack containing various items of clothing folded and packed in neat fashion.

Facial reconstruction of John Doe - click thumbnail to enlarge

On November 18th, 2005, the body of John DOE was exhumed, re-examined by a forensic anthropologist. The forensic anthropologist determined the male to be Black African with European Descent, late twenties or early thirties with medium length dread-lock type hair, 5'11 and 160 lbs and is described as athletic in nature

The skull was sent to an RCMP forensic artist for the completion of a facial reconstruction which was completed and released to the media on November 23rd, 2006.

HALIFAX (CP) -- The RCMP is hoping facial reconstruction will help identify a man whose decomposed body was found in woods near Halifax International Airport two years ago. On Thursday, investigators presented a replica of the man's skull, as well as a clay figure of his face and computer-generated images of what he may have looked like, in the hope that someone will recognize him.

"We've used every tool we know of trying to identifying this individual," Cpl. Joe Taplin said during a news conference at RCMP headquarters. After those methods failed, investigators enlisted the services of two experts to do a facial reconstruction. Tanya Peckmann, a forensic anthropologist, said the man was between 18 and 23 years of age and stood five-foot-11. She said his skull revealed characteristics of both black African and white European populations. "Although he may outwardly look like he is of black African ancestry, he actually might be of mixed ancestry," said Peckmann. He had dreadlocked hair and a full beard, and Dolce & Gabbana eyeglasses were found near his body. The man also had a healed fracture in his lower left leg that appeared not to have been properly treated -- a detail Peckmann said might help identify him. The man's body was found by a passerby on Oct. 9, 2004, in a wooded area just off Highway 102. Police believe he was at the airport that day and have ruled out foul play in the death. Taplin wouldn't identify a cause of death, saying only that it was "not suspicious." The body was decomposed and no identification was found, so facial reconstruction became necessary. It took about 120 hours to complete the process, said forensic art specialist Sgt. Michel Fournier.

"It's not done overnight," he said. "It's not like on CSI."

He said that although the proportions of the clay figure should be mostly accurate, some details may be imperfect. "You need to look at the facial reconstruction and give yourself some flexibility in trying to recognize that person," he said. "It's never a perfect image, but there is a fair resemblance to what that person looked like when he was alive." Fournier said he has worked on at least a dozen facial reconstructions with about half of them resulting in cases being solved. Anyone who has information about the case should contact the RCMP or Crimestoppers.

"It's almost impossible to capture all the facial details of when the person was alive, but there is a fair resemblance to what that person would look like," Fournier said.

Fournier started off by making a replica of the skull, then reconstructed muscles and skin using clay. Photos of the reconstruction were scanned and modified on a computer, adding depictions of hair and items recovered from the scene.

The man had dreadlock hair and a goatee, and was found wearing a multicoloured dress shirt, Emilio grey sweater, Lee blue jeans and new Timberland hiking boots.

A pair of Dolce & Gabbana glasses and a Dorcy flashlight were near the body, along with a McKinley backpack containing neatly packed clothing.

RCMP hope someone can identify this man found near Halifax International Airport in 2004.(RCMP) "When I put back the glasses at the end of the facial reconstruction they fit exactly," said Fournier. "They confirmed the glasses were his glasses."

Peckmann, a forensic anthropologist for the province, examined the skeletal remains and concluded the man was in his early 20s, five foot 11 and 160 pounds.

The investigators believe the man is an African-Canadian or of mixed race.

"The individual may outwardly look like he's of black African ancestry, but he may actually be of mixed ancestry, so this becomes really important in the identification of this individual," said Peckmann.

She also discovered something unusual about the man's left leg.

Peckmann says the man broke his tibia before he died and either didn't get medical care or took a cast off before it healed.

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Of the dozen facial reconstructions Fournier has done, he says about half led to an identification.